Inspired in part by KPMG’s values and culture, Khalid Alkhudair has been taking action to improve the world around him. As the Chief Operating Officer, Markets for KPMG in Saudi Arabia, Khalid was keenly aware of the gender imbalance within the country’s labor force.
In 2011, Khalid created Glowork.net, the Middle East’s first website dedicated to female career advice and empowerment. Since its launch, Glowork has helped create more than 11,000 vacancies for women and has signed up more than 210 companies.
“By increasing the female participation rates, we are not only empowering women and increasing the diversity of the workforce, we are also increasing the country’s productivity and potential for economic growth,” noted Khalid Alkhudair. “I see this program as yet another way that KPMG is able to create sustainable change and build greater trust between society, business and public institutions.”
Khalid Alkhudair, COO, Markets at KPMG in Saudi Arabia and Founder of Glowork.net
Both Glowork and Khalid have received high praise and recognition for their contributions. Glowork was named the most innovative solution relating to job creation by the UN, World Bank and the International Labour Organization, Excellence in Innovation by her Majesty Queen Rania and Best Education Project by the Arab Investment Summit. He was also ranked the third most influential youth under 30 throughout the Middle East by Gulf Magazine.
Khalid is now widely seen as a champion of women’s rights in the Gulf region. He is an advisor to the Saudi Ministry of Labour on women’s empowerment, a member of the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) worldwide global shapers network and a member of the WEF’s Talent Mobility Steering Board 2012-2013. He has been a key influence in changing recent laws to allow Saudi women to work in the retail industry, which will create more than 400,000 jobs for Saudi women in the next 3 years.
“Like many of his colleagues within the KPMG network, Khalid has applied his skills and experience to create real and lasting change in his society and economy,” noted Michael Andrew, Chairman, KPMG International. “His spirit and attitude are an inspiration to us all.”
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